Traditional vs Cultural Expedition Cruising: 5 Differences with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Expedition cruising is traditionally associated with the polar regions and other remote and exotic lands, but over the last several years some expedition cruise lines have expanded their cruise itineraries beyond these traditional destinations. Today, your clients can experience an expedition cruise to mainstream destinations such as Japan, the British Isles, and Europe.

It is the latter that Travel Market Report recently tried out with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. Having been on Antarctica, Greenland, and Galapagos expeditions with Lindblad, we were curious to find out what a non-traditional expedition would entail.

Our voyage took place onboard National Geographic Orion during its first season back in Europe since 2017. The new eight-day Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro expedition sailed from Split to Zadar, visiting Mljet National Park, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Komiža, Hvar, and Šibenik. Although the itinerary is new for Orion, Lindblad isn’t new to the destination. Its chartered sailing vessels Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II visit Croatia every summer, so the company already has established partnerships with local tour operators and port authorities.

Here are five big differences in terms of logistics and experience.

Dry Landings Instead of Wet

Traditional polar expeditions involve wet landings, where guests travel ashore via Zodiacs and need to step out into ankle-deep water to reach dry land. Orion’s European expeditions visit populated cities with port facilities, so the ship is able to dock alongside and disembark guests via the gangway. In ports where anchoring is required, the Zodiacs that transport guests ashore pull up next to a pier, letting everyone keep their feet dry.

Light Attire Instead of Thermal Layers

European weather is temperate, and Mediterranean summers are hot, so the packing list consists of shorts and sunscreen rather than base layers and fleece, which is lighter and easier to manage. Unlike polar expeditions, which provide a parka for guests to wear and take home, guests on European expeditions do not receive expedition gear.  

Cities and Towns Instead of Wilderness

Polar expeditions visit wilderness areas that require guests to be guided by the expedition team, and everyone must remain with the group. Our Dalmatian Coast expedition called in urban centers, with the freedom to venture on our own in between excursions, or forgo excursions altogether and take free time in port. In Korčula, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Komiža, Šibenik, and Zadar, Orion was docked in the city center or at anchor directly offshore, facilitating easy access and providing the option for guests to stay ashore for meals during full-day visits.  

Light Evening Entertainment Instead of Nothing

We were pleasantly surprised to see a husband and wife duo who sang and played music before and after dinner each evening onboard Orion. Fran and Gus had a great sense of humor and were terrific at mingling with guests. They also hosted a sailaway deck party and a trivia night, which saw good participation. Traditional polar expeditions rarely feature onboard entertainment staff.

Cultural Immersion Instead of Natural World-Centric

Our expedition on Orion focused on cultural discoveries, which is the biggest difference from a polar expedition – where landscape and wildlife viewing take center stage.

Part of the former Yugoslavia and previously ruled by a string of powerful empires from the Greeks to the Venetians, Croatia and Montenegro are brimming with history, period architecture, and deep-rooted traditions. As such, many of our excursions showcased these elements to provide a closer understanding of the people and their culture.

In Korčula, our group enjoyed a traditional Moreška sword dance that dates back more than 450 years. From Zadar, an excursion brought guests to neighboring Pag Island for a lace-making demonstration, a craft practiced by Pag artisans since the 15th century. Visits to UNESCO Heritage Sites, monasteries, cathedrals, and museums were included in many tour options, with local guides providing excellent recounts of the history and significance of the area.

Our experience ashore was complemented by a Croatian guide who sailed with us on the entire expedition. Hailing from Zagreb but well-versed on the Dalmatian Coast, Lydia provided insights into each port during our daily “pre-cap” at cocktail hour to prepare us for our next destination, and also accompanied us on tours to answer any questions.

Our voyage also featured an additional National Geographic Destination Expert who has been with the Nat Geo Society for 35 years, sharing his knowledge of the region with us through in-depth lectures.

And if that wasn’t enough, our expedition was also part of Lindblad’s Food, Wine, & History series designed to immerse its guests in the itinerary’s gastronomy and wine. Our expedition wine list was specially curated by Ray Isle, the executive wine editor of “Food & Wine” magazine. Culinary-themed excursions included a visit to oyster and mussel beds to “lunch and learn” about cultivating the mollusks. There were Croatian pastry, cheese, and Maraschino liqueur tastings, and samplings at a local winery. A Croatian wine specialist also sailed with us, introducing the wines with each dinner and leading a wine tasting seminar onboard.

Our week of food and wine culminated with a delightful dinner at Hora Farm, located on Hvar’s Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO-designated agricultural region cultivated by ancient Greeks over 5,500 years ago. We tucked into lamb, chicken, and fish Peka with vegetables and potatoes – a traditional Dalmatian dish slow-roasted in a domed cast iron pan over hot coals, while drinking wine from grapes grown onsite by the Žuvela family.

What Remains the Same?

Although numerous aspects of our cultural expedition were different from a traditional one, the core experience of traveling with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions remained consistent. Here are three ways Lindblad delivers a solid exploration program regardless of destination.

Intimate Onboard Ambiance

National Geographic Orion carries only 102 guests, offering an uncrowded, intimate, and social atmosphere that is akin to traditional expeditions. (All of Lindblad’s vessels are small, with the largest holding just 148 passengers.) The consistency of the Lindblad onboard product and the trusted National Geographic reputation are the reasons why most expeditions carry nearly 50% repeat guests.

Experienced Expedition Team + National Geographic Photographers

The enrichment programming at which Lindblad excels was central to our Dalmatian expedition, presented by a team of expedition staff with decades of experience in their field. Everyone was extremely approachable, engaging with us regularly and accompanying us on excursions.

Particularly popular were Jeff, the National Geographic Photo Expert, and Brett, the National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor. Both conducted workshops with photo-taking tricks and techniques (including a separate session on smartphone photography), provided on-location pro tips during excursions, and led an evening photo walk in Hvar to photograph the port during the “golden hour.”

Nat Geo photographers and photo instructors are an exclusive component onboard all Lindblad expeditions, and the invaluable knowledge they share is another enhancement to the guest experience.

Lots of Active Choices

Expeditions are active trips, and guests who book a cultural expedition needn’t worry about sacrificing physical activity. Since many of Croatia’s islands are home to national parks and attractive shorelines, several active tours were available daily. At Mljet National Park, we had the option of a strenuous hike or an e-bike tour. In Dubrovnik, we walked the city walls while others hiked up to Srđ Hill for spectacular views of the ancient city. Kotor, Montenegro, saw the best hike of the trip, where, divided into active, moderate, and leisure groups, we climbed 1,350 steps to St. John’s Fortress for a bird’s eye view of jaw-dropping Boka Bay. We kayaked in Vis and ventured into national parks from Šibenik and Zadar for glorious hikes among the forest and waterfalls. There were also opportunities to swim from local beaches at nearly every port of call.